The Servant's Authority | Mark 1:12-28

Introduction

Mark chapter number one this morning and I'm grateful to continue our series through the Gospel of Mark. Before we do, I want to speak to the dads just for a moment. I want to encourage them with a couple of things. First of all, guys and men here today, our fathers, I want to remind you that though we are in a society where dads are often overlooked, God sees you. I want you to know that today. God sees you, God sees the effort, God sees your heart, and He sees the fact that you love your families and you love your children, and you are doing your best to pursue the Lord.

Church family, I encourage you to support the dads here in our church today. We need to be praying for our fathers, supporting them to keep living for the Lord, to keep doing the hard work of being faithful to their spouses, children, and the Lord. As a father of four boys, I understand how there are many barriers in our world, not only cultural barriers but also our own sinful hearts and desires that sometimes hinder us from being faithful. Yet we need to persevere.

Fathers, remember that you're raising a generation to love and serve others as Christ has loved and served you. It is an incredible privilege to bring into this world and to raise for the Lord eternal beings. Do not delay, dads, in honoring the Lord by raising your family and children for Him. If there's something in your life that you need to get together, now is the time. Your family needs you. Your children need you. Those of you with grown children, they still need you for advice and guidance.

I am blessed to have a dad I can turn to for help and advice. Be that strong man that God has called you to be. Even if you didn't have a great example of a father, turn to your Heavenly Father or find examples within this church for advice and help. Let's be strong and raise our families in the Lord. Remember, your children will remember the time you spend with them more than the money you spend on them.

As we head into this Father's Day, I want to encourage you. We are stewards of the gifts of God, and we need to take that authority and leadership seriously, being obedient and submissive to Him as we raise our families for the Lord.

Now, let's get back to the Gospel of Mark. Sound good? Let's dive into Mark chapter 1. As we started last week, this book was written by a man named John Mark, likely writing down the recollections of the Apostle Peter. The Gospel of Mark is unique as the shortest and believed to be the oldest of the gospels. Both Matthew and Luke referenced about 95% of the Gospel of Mark in their writings.

One unique aspect of Mark's gospel is its focus on the actions of Jesus, often using quick language. The theme for the series, taken from Mark 10:45, is that Jesus came not to be ministered unto but to minister and give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus is portrayed as a servant with authority and power.

Authority Over the Enemy

Now, let's read from Mark 1:12-13: "And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."

Without a moment to catch His breath, Jesus is immediately driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted for forty days by Satan. This was not an unfortunate event but had a purpose: to reveal Jesus' authority over the enemy.

Jesus faced the enemy of God, Satan, to reveal His authority over him. Notice the authority of the servant over the enemy. Although Mark gives us only two verses on this event, Matthew and Luke provide more details. Jesus was fasting during this time in the wilderness, likely in a desolate wasteland near the Dead Sea.

Jesus was tempted by Satan with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way like us, yet without sin. This reminds us of the perfectness of our Savior and that temptation itself is not sin but giving in to it leads to sinful thoughts and actions.

Jesus gives us a template to follow when faced with temptation. In Matthew 4, when tempted by the devil, Jesus responded by declaring the truth of Scripture. He said, "It is written," each time, emphasizing the authority of the Word of God. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Memorizing Scripture helps us resist and fight against temptation.

In practical terms, think of it as a 9-1-1 emergency. When faced with temptation, call upon Psalm 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." The Word of God has authority and power to help us in times of temptation.

Shortly after His private victory in the wilderness, Jesus publicly reveals His authority over the enemy. Let's read from Mark 1:21-28:

"And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."

In Capernaum, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught with authority. The people were astonished at His doctrine because He taught as one with authority, not as the scribes. When confronted by a man with an unclean spirit, Jesus demonstrated His authority by commanding the spirit to come out, revealing His power over the enemy.

Jesus still has power over the enemy today. God has authority over the wickedness and sinfulness of this world and the power of Satan. As believers, we need to rest in His power and authority, remembering that God is greater than our enemy. The Word of God has authority and power, and we can turn to it for help in times of need.

Authority in His Preaching

In Mark 1:14-15, it says, "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, a message of repentance and faith. The kingdom of God is about His reign over the hearts of His people. Jesus' preaching had authority because He was not just speaking from authority; He was authority. He spoke as the Word, preaching the Word.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul says, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." The Word of God has authority because it is from Jesus Himself.

Authority Over His Followers

In Mark 1:16-20, it says:

"Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon, Andrew, James, and John and called them to follow Him. These men were fishermen, but Jesus saw something more in them. He saw their potential and called them to a new purpose: to be fishers of men.

Jesus' call to follow Him was not a strange concept to them. It was an honor for a rabbi to call someone to follow him, signifying they were worthy to be taught and trained. Jesus called these men to a unique and different purpose, to follow Him and be part of His mission.

When Jesus called them, they immediately followed Him, leaving their nets and family behind. They recognized His authority and responded with obedience. What did Jesus see in them? He saw their potential and the impact they would have for the gospel.

Peter, full of passion but also failure, would one day lead 3,000 souls to Christ in a single sermon. Andrew, the first to follow Christ, would bring others to Jesus, becoming the first evangelist. John, part of the inner circle, would walk by Jesus' side and eventually write the book of Revelation. James would

be the first apostle martyred for his faith.

What does Jesus see in you? In every one of His children, there is hope, a future, and potential for God's glory to be revealed. What faithful act of service is in your future? Which person will you lead to Christ? What mission will you undertake?

Jesus is still calling us to follow Him today. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." The call is to follow Jesus, recognizing His authority in our lives and surrendering to His will.

Have you submitted your life to the calling and authority of Jesus Christ? Often, people express a desire to be used by God but fail to genuinely follow Him. The challenge is to submit your life to the Lord, placing yourself under His authority and saying, "God, use me in whatever way you want."

Jesus is revealing His authority, calling us to surrender to Him. If you have never done so, I encourage you to surrender to Him today. Surrender to the Savior who loves you, died for you, and has good things for you. Place yourself under His authority and let Him use your life for His glory.

Final Thoughts

Jesus reveals His authority over the enemy, in His preaching, and over His followers. As we recognize His authority, let us submit ourselves to Him, follow Him, and allow Him to use our lives for His purpose and glory.